Giving advice to kids beforehand is part of the process of preparing them for a spelling bee.
Spelling bees can be an exciting time for children, but that excitement can be accompanied by fear, anxiety and other emotions that might not enhance the experience. Anyone trying to emotionally prepare kids for a spelling bee should make sure that bee participants are as prepared as possible for the event. Talk to the kids beforehand about the emotions they may feel, and give them advice on deal with those emotions if they arise.
Instructions
1. Help kids practice spelling. They are likely to feel more comfortable if they think they're fully prepared. Find words used in previous spelling bees, if possible, and incorporate them into the spelling regimen. The more they spell and learn, the less likely they are to have issues with common emotions that sometimes grip children during spelling bees, such as fear, nervousness and anxiety.
2. Give them encouragement and positive reinforcement. Throughout the preparation process, give the kids verbal support to build up their confidence. Each time they spell a word correctly, tell them they're doing a good job. When they misspell a word, let them know in a way that maintains a positive outlook, such as saying that they'll get the word right the next time.
3. Run a simulation. Spelling bees can be real pressure cookers for children. One of the best ways to prepare them is to run a simulated bee that mimics the conditions the actual bee will be held under. One or more simulations can help kids to get nervousness and other emotions out of their systems prior to the actual bee, or at least dampen those emotions.
4. Give them advice about what to expect regarding emotional reactions. Let them know that feeling butterflies is natural and that the sensation can be overcome, or at least controlled. Talk to them about not letting their emotions get the best of them, and give them tips about what to do if nerves kick in, such as breathing exercises and thinking positive thoughts.
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